Functional integration of multiple components for a fuel cell power plant

A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a cell stack assembly having a plurality of fuel cell assemblies in electrical communication with one another, wherein said cell stack assembly is provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream, said fuel cell power plant comprising:

• an mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;
• a burner for processing said fuel exhausted from said cell stack assembly during operation thereof and exhausting a burner gaseous stream containing thermal energy and moisture;
• a housing chamber in which said oxidant stream exhausted from said cell stack assembly merges with said burner gaseous stream to form said first gaseous stream;
• and
• wherein said coolant stream that is exhausted from said cell stack assembly is provided to said housing chamber, and wherein said oxidant stream exhausted from said cell stack assembly merges with said burner gaseous stream in the presence of said exhausted coolant stream.

A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a fuel cell assembly provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream, said fuel cell power plant further comprising:

• a mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;
• a burner for processing said fuel exhausted from said fuel cell assembly during operation thereof and exhausting a burner gaseous stream containing thermal energy and moisture;
• a housing chamber in which said oxidant stream exhausted from said fuel cell assembly merges with said burner gaseous stream to form said first gaseous stream;
• and
• a nozzle assembly oriented within said housing chamber and adjacent an inlet opening of said burner gaseous stream, said nozzle assembly injecting a predetermined quantity of moisture into said burner gaseous stream during operation.

A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a cell stack assembly having a plurality of fuel cell assemblies in electrical communication with one another, wherein said cell stack assembly is provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream, said fuel cell power plant comprising:

• an mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;
• a burner for processing said fuel exhausted from said cell stack assembly during operation thereof and exhausting a burner gaseous stream containing thermal energy and moisture;
• a housing chamber in which said oxidant stream exhausted from said cell stack assembly merges with said burner gaseous stream to form said first gaseous stream;
• and
• a nozzle assembly oriented within said housing chamber and adjacent an inlet opening of said burner gaseous stream, said nozzle assembly injecting a predetermined quantity of moisture into said burner gaseous stream during operation.